SWA Junior bases

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11-10-2014, 04:50 AM

#21

Laramie

Line Holder

Joined APC: Aug 2013

Position: B737 Right

Posts: 80

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tarheelherk

I need some opinion before I bid for a base. BWI and MDW at 90% or PHX and LAS at 70? I commute from CLT. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Do you want to hold a line? 70%, no question.

11-10-2014, 06:49 AM

#22

itsokimapilot

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Joined APC: Sep 2008

Posts: 341

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tarheelherk

I need some opinion before I bid for a base. BWI and MDW at 90% or PHX and LAS at 70? I commute from CLT. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Are you a new hire or transition? If you're a new hire welcome to Oakland, you'll probably be there until the next round of hiring. If you're a transition pilot, I'd recommend bidding for MDW. It's commuter friendly, they have many crash pad options within walking distance of the airport. PHX is probably not a good idea IMHO. I was bumped a couple times trying to catch the PHX-CLT USAir flight by other pilots. Turns out a lot of the USAir folks make that same commute. Vegas flights always seem to be full especially if you're flying out on a Thursday or Friday. Don't know too much about BWI. Good luck.

11-10-2014, 11:58 AM

#23

Stitches

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Joined APC: Oct 2011

Posts: 374

Ymmv but at around 92%-94% you can bet on a blank line in most bases. BWI & MDW are closer to the 92% end since they are commuter heavy. With the overmanning in Jan/Feb I'd wager that local guys will bid reserve in the hopes of sitting at home. At 90% I'd say you are all but assured of holding a line in any base.

I don't think bidding 70% out west would be worth the potential pain you'd be enduring in order to commute there.

11-10-2014, 12:13 PM

#24

Stitches

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Joined APC: Oct 2011

Posts: 374

Just looked at Dec bid in BWI. Bottom blank line was 95%. MDW is probably similar. Pick the one with the most direct flights from CLT.

11-14-2014, 07:54 PM

#25

Rsv4lyfe

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Joined APC: Nov 2013

Posts: 200

How about Denver? Any 14' hires holding it?

11-15-2014, 04:08 PM

#26

itsokimapilot

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Joined APC: Sep 2008

Posts: 341

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rsv4lyfe

How about Denver? Any 14' hires holding it?

Most junior guy in DEN was in the Jan 2nd class. I wouldn't plan to get to DEN for at least 1-2 years.

11-16-2014, 09:24 AM

#27

Herkdrv

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Joined APC: Aug 2006

Position: Mostly Herks. Soon to be Guppys and FRED

Posts: 280

Roughly 7 out of 8000 overall and bidding close to 50% in Lost Wages. Last three thanksgivings and Christmases off. No state income tax, cheap housing, and 24/7 beer!!! Best kept secret in the system. Shoot me a PM if you need more info. Also know a great realtor that has worked with SW pilots before.

11-22-2014, 01:42 PM

#28

Tarheelherk

New Hire

Joined APC: Nov 2011

Position: 737-700 FO

Posts: 3

What's the use of bidding?? Help guys, how hard is it from SFO to OAK? Hotel suggestions? Life at 50%?
Thanks again!

11-22-2014, 02:15 PM

#29

shoelu

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Joined APC: Jun 2007

Position: CA

Posts: 1,207

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tarheelherk

What's the use of bidding?? Help guys, how hard is it from SFO to OAK? Hotel suggestions? Life at 50%?
Thanks again!

SFO to OAK is about 1 hour on the BART if you hit everything just right. If you walk up just as the train is pulling away and have to wait for the next it takes longer. 1 1/2 hours, worst case scenario usually. There are lots of hotel choices from nice to dumps depending on what you are willing to spend. Life is good at 50%, weekends and holiday's off with 18 days off if that is your preference.

11-23-2014, 09:44 AM

#30

TriStar_drvr

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Joined APC: Apr 2006

Position: B-737 CA

Posts: 53

I'm based in Vegas and fly to CLT several times a year to visit my mom. USAirways has two red eyes to CLT from LAS. you could do PM trips and not have to stay in Vegas. But if you do, hotels are usually cheap and never discount the 24/7 beer availability.